Must learning always have a predefined, tangible outcome with obvious benefits . If your answer is yes, it’s an invitation to challenge that assumption.
To bring everything in perspective , let me share a story with you.
This is story of a boy name Ram.
Ram want to learn AI and Data Analytics as everyone around him was talking about data analytics and how it was the “future skill.”
He thought:
“I really should learn Python and data analytics… but I’ll wait until I feel motivated, maybe after this busy project cycle.”
Weeks turned into months. He bought a few courses, bookmarked tutorials—but never opened them.
Whenever he saw colleagues posting their certificates on LinkedIn, he sighed:
“They must be so motivated. I just don’t have that spark right now.”
He was in the Motivation Myth Zone, believing that only a well-defined, tangible reward—such as a promotion or career boost—could spark the motivation to learn Python and analytics.”
Because he expected well-defined, upfront benefits—and they never materialized—his journey to learn Python and analytics never began.
Wait………………………………………………………..
Here’s the twist: the same story can take a completely different turn—with a happy ending.
Let end this story with a Happy ending ………………………………………….
One day, his mentor told him:
“Don’t wait for motivation, Ram. Just open the course today and spend 15 minutes learning the basics.”
So he did. He practiced writing a simple
- “Hello World” program. It wasn’t much, but it gave him a small sense of achievement.
- The next day, he tried a slightly bigger exercise: cleaning an Excel dataset using Python.
- After a week, he could run small analyses.
This is called Growth Zone
Growth Zone—small actions → visible progress → motivation grew naturally.
Soon, Ram created a daily learning habit. Even during his busiest weeks, he carved out 20 minutes a day. It became part of his workflow—he applied what he learned to real supply chain reports.
He was in the Sustainable Success Zone—consistent process → deep skill growth.
A few months later, Ram built a dashboard that saved his team hours of manual work. His manager praised him, and soon he was asked to lead a data-driven project.
Colleagues said: “Wow, you’re so motivated and talented in analytics!”
Ram smiled. He knew the truth:
It wasn’t motivation that started his learning journey.
Tiny actions, built into habits, that created motivation—and eventually, achievement.
Success Zone – Action done every day -> Built into Habits -> Habit created motivation -> Eventually Leads to Achievements
In today’s achievement-driven workplace, waiting for motivation keeps you stuck.
But when you start small, build habits, and focus on the process, motivation grows—and career outcomes naturally follow
So are you ready to take the hardest leap………………………………………….
Bibliography
The Motivation Myth – Jeff Haden
accidentalprojectmanager.blog 
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